LG Manoj Sinha Calls Mega Event a ‘National Festival of Unity’, Says True Victory Lies Beyond Medals
INAYAT QAYOOM
GULMARG, FEBRUARY 23:
The snow-clad slopes of Gulmarg came alive with colour, courage and competitive spirit as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday inaugurated the 6th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games, marking the beginning of a four-day sporting spectacle at India’s premier winter sports destination.
Calling the Games a “true national festival,” the Lieutenant Governor said the mega winter event is a celebration of India’s rich sporting legacy, unity in diversity, and the transformative power of sports that forges unbreakable character.
“The Khelo India Winter Games revive the ideals of peace, equality and camaraderie. In our vibrant nation of myriad languages, cultures and traditions, these Games serve as a universal language and shared heritage,” Sinha said while addressing athletes and officials.
Around 1,000 athletes and team officials from various states and Union Territories will compete in disciplines including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding and ski mountaineering, turning Gulmarg into the winter sports capital of the country for the week.
Beyond Competition, A Message of Unity
Emphasising that the broader aim of the Games is strengthening national integration, Sinha said healthy rivalry fosters mutual respect and lasting friendships.
“As you race down these ski slopes, remember: diversity is our strength, not division. When athletes from different states train together, compete fiercely and cheer for one another, barriers of language and region dissolve before the sporting spirit,” he said.
He noted that winter sports uniquely test athletes against nature itself, demanding extraordinary technical mastery, resilience and endurance.
“Falling, analysing errors, rising improved — these are the true lessons of sport. On these slopes, your identity hinges solely on performance, discipline and grit,” he told the skiers.
Sporting Transformation in J&K
Highlighting the rapid development of sports infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha credited the transformation to initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including the Prime Minister’s Development Package and the establishment of 100 Khelo India Centres across the region.
He said modern infrastructure, combined with the talent and dedication of J&K’s youth, has redefined the Union Territory’s sporting landscape.
Spirit Over Medals
The Lieutenant Governor reminded participants that true character is revealed not only in victory but in adversity.
“A real athlete remains humble in triumph and dignified in defeat,” he said, adding that the success of the 6th edition will not be measured merely by medals but by the spirit of unity, mutual respect and relentless pursuit of excellence.
The grand inaugural ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, senior ministers, top civil and police officials, representatives of the Sports Authority of India, and prominent sports personalities.
As the tricolour fluttered against the pristine white slopes, the message was clear — the Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg are no longer just a competition, but a symbol of resilience, unity and India’s rising winter sports ambitions.(SNS)